hybrid

When it comes to automotive reviews for the KUVO audience, I’m thinking about NEW technologies. And even with the price of gas at the pump at the lowest levels we’ve seen in years, I’m still looking very carefully at that middle step between plain old gasoline engines and fully electric cars - the hybrid. Japanese carmaker Subaru has finally entered the hybrid market, and I drove the 2014 Crosstrek Hybrid.

After making its brand known in Colorado (we kind of appreciate all-wheel drive around these parts), Subaru has gradually been building its emissions and alternative fuel credentials. Michael McHale, director of Subaru corporate communications, talks with Steve Chavis about his recent drive in the newly-designed Forester. In this interview, McHale describes Subaru's evolution toward pollution-free vehicles, from PZEV (partial zero-emission vehicle) to its newly introduced hybrids, as well as the challenges they face before entering the electric vehicle market.

I'll admit it, I was thrown off by the simplicity of the Lexus hybrid powertrain. The transition between the normal running engine and the silent electric motor was virtually unnoticeable. The mileage, as hard as I tried, wouldn't rise above 30 mph. What I couldn't see was the near zero emissions package. Puzzled by all this new-fangled hybrid technology, I called Chris Gunn, sales support manager for the Lexus Western Region. In this interview, he explains the mileage, the transition between gasoline and electric driving, braking and emissions.